FC Dallas sign Andres Escobar on loan

Days after the news of Hendry Thomas' signing from Colorado is the news that Dallas has taken Columbian attacker, Andres "Manga" Escobar from Dynamo Kiev (not be confused with the tragically murdered for World Cup own goal Andre Escobar).

This is a story that has been floating around for several days, but the news he'd been loaned to Dallas is interesting. Escobar provides a level of experience in the attack that it lacks currently as Fabian Castillo and Je-Vaughn Watson are the team's only veteran players for a winger/wide midfield positions.

Escobar has also appeared for the Columbian U20 national team.

Here is the team's press release and we will have more after the 10am conference call with Fernando Clavijo: *********

Pending receipt of his visa and ITC, FC Dallas has acquired forward Andrés Ramiro Escobar on loan from Ukrainian power Dynamo Kiev, the club announced today. Per league policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

"Escobar is a great young player," said FC Dallas Technical Director Fernando Clavijo. "He has played in Europe for the last few years and I expect him and Fabian Castillo to form one of the best flank combinations in the league. Both players are very similar in their speed and ability to beat players one-on-one. I expect Escobar will fill the void created by the loss of Jackson on the right flank."

A native of Colombia, the 22-year-old forward has been with Ligue 1 club Évian on loan from Dynamo Kiev where he signed in 2011 at age 20 from Deportivo Cali. Escobar returned to Deportivo Cali on loan from 2012 to 2013, appearing in 35 matches and scoring five goals. He appeared in four games for French club Évian in 2013.

"I've known Andres for a long time and had been following him since his early years at Deportivo Cali," said FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja. "He is a player we wanted to bring to the team a few years ago but it wasn't the right time. After the experience he has gained in Europe and his growth as a player, we feel that now is the right moment to bring him to FC Dallas."

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